FBI

Lady Lake police nab one of FBI’s Ten Most Wanted

LADY LAKE, Fla.—One of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted is behind bars thanks to proactive policing by a Lady Lake Police Department sergeant.

LLPD Sgt. Michelle Bilbrey spotted a car with the wrong license plate around 9:15 a.m. Saturday, and performed a traffic stop at the intersection of U.S. Highway 441/27 and Rolling Acres Road. She identified the driver as Donald Eugene Fields II, 60, who has been on the run for nearly three years since missing a court appearance in Franklin County, Missouri in March 2022.

PHOTO: FBI

Fields was indicted in federal court in St. Louis in December 2023 for attempting to recruit and exploit a minor for commercial sex acts for four and a half years, beginning in January 2013. He is also facing state charges in Missouri, including statutory rape, statutory sodomy, child molestation, and witness tampering.

“Sometimes, an everyday traffic stop turns into a real game-changer. This is a reminder that every officer, every day, is out there making a real difference,” LLPD Chief Steve Hunt said. “Every traffic stop is an opportunity for justice. What starts as a routine encounter can quickly turn into a pivotal moment, where an officer’s sharp instincts and dedication to service lead to a significant arrest—keeping our community and in this case, the nation, safer.”

The FBI also praised Bilbrey’s actions, “Thanks to proactive policing by the Lady Lake Police Department, one of the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted fugitives has been captured,” Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson said.

Fields is being held in the Lake County Jail and will make his first appearance in a Florida federal court.

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Former teacher sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing foreign exchange student and plying boy with THC, alcohol

TAVARES, Fla.—A former high school teacher has been sentenced to life in prison for sexually battering a foreign exchange student last year.

A Lake County jury found Dmitri V. Kostyunin, 51, guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, delivery of cannabis to a person under 18 and sexual battery in March.

Kostyunin was employed as a science teacher at Apopka High School when he was arrested in October 2023 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contacted Mount Dora Police Department and stated a “sexual incident” occurred at Kostyunin’s home in Mount Dora. The victim told authorities that Kostyunin gave him marijuana edibles and alcohol and performed sex acts on the boy in two different rooms in his home in September 2023. The boy, from Italy, had been staying with Kostyunin since August 2023 as part of a foreign exchange student program, Gladson’s office said. The boy’s age has never been released.

During an interview, Kostyunin admitted giving the boy THC edibles, wine and beer and claimed he “blacked out” and woke up to evidence of a sexual encounter, and “he knew he made a mistake,” his arrest affidavit states.

Previous story: Apopka High School Teacher Admits Giving THC Edibles and Alcohol to Child Prior to “Sexual Incident” in Mount Dora – Inside Lake

Former teacher sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing foreign exchange student and plying boy with THC, alcohol Read More »

Former teacher found guilty of sexually battering foreign exchange student in ’23

TAVARES, Fla.—A former high school teacher has been found guilty of sexually battering a foreign exchange student last year, along with other charges related to the incident.

A Lake County jury found Dmitri V. Kostyunina, 51, guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, delivery of cannabis to a person under 18 and sexual battery last week in Tavares, according to Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office.

Kostyunina was employed as a science teacher at Apopka High School when he was arrested in October 2023 after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contacted Mount Dora Police Department and stated a “sexual incident” occurred at Kostyunina’s home in Mount Dora. The victim told authorities that Kostyunina gave him marijuana edibles and alcohol and performed sex acts on the boy in two different rooms in his home in September 2023. The boy, from Italy, had been staying with Kostyunina since August as part of a foreign exchange student program, Gladson’s office said. The boy’s age has never been released.

During an interview, Kostyunina admitted giving the boy THC edibles, wine and beer and claimed he “blacked out” and woke up to evidence of a sexual encounter, and “he knew he made a mistake,” his arrest affidavit states.

“Kostyunin’s actions not only violated the trust placed in him but also endangered the well-being of a child within our community,” Gladson said. “Instead of being able to learn abroad, make lasting friendships, and take in some of the amazing things our country has to offer, those experiences and memories will forever be tarnished because of Kostyunin.”

Kostyunina has been held in the Lake County Jail on no bond since his arrest; he will be sentenced at a later date.

Previous story: Apopka High School Teacher Admits Giving THC Edibles and Alcohol to Child Prior to “Sexual Incident” in Mount Dora – Inside Lake

Former teacher found guilty of sexually battering foreign exchange student in ’23 Read More »

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